Friday’s Prayer

As you do immeasurably more than all we could ever ask or imagine in ________________’s life, let our entire family remember to give You the glory, for ever and ever.  Ephesians 3:20-21

Thursday’s Prayer

When ___________fnds him/herself sad and discouraged cause ____________ to put hope in You and to remember your kindness.  Pour out on him/her your unfailing love throughout each day and at night fill ____________’s heart with your life-giving songs.  Psalm 42:3-8

Wednesday’s Prayer

I pray that out of your glorious riches you will strengthen ____________with power through your Spirit in his/her inner being.  Ephesians 3:16

Tuesday’s Prayer

Lord, increase my faith and __________’s faith.  Teach  us how to “walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)  Give us strength to stand strong on Your promises and believe Your every word.  I know that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  (Romans 10:17).  When Plan A fails, it is  faith that will provide confidence that Your plans are in action.

Weekly Theme: When Plan A Has Failed

What do you do when Plan A,  which includes your vision of success and happiness for your teen, does not work out?  What do you do when life is throwing you and your teen curveballs?  Things like disease, rebellion, drugs, immoral influences, peer pressure, death, failed relationships, etc.

What do you do to navigate the unexpected challenges and disappointments?
Do you choose to resist reality, kick, scream, blame others, snarl at God OR adapt with grace, live with the hope and the faith that God redeems it all ?

Your response to the failure of  Plan A matters. What you do greatly impacts what your teen will do when facing his/her own challenges.

Twelve years ago, when my children were ages were 6, 8 and 9, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  That was not part of Plan A.   More recently, I have faced the death of my mother and other challenges, none of them part of Plan A.  What I know is that God is in these dark places and “where darkness seems the deepest, the most radiant light is set to emerge.” (Streams in the Desert, April 25th)

God is the redeemer bringing something good out of our seemingly negative circumstances.  God gives us his Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us in fresh and hope-filled directions.  He heals our wounds and gives us strength to move forward.  Our faith and our responses matter. God showed that to me in a mighty way on Friday night when my daughter sent me these two photos  from an event which her sorority sponsors.

Running for me

God gives us hope

Is it just a coincidence that she belongs to a sorority whose philanthopy centers around breast cancer?  Or is God’s mighty power on display saying that I give you hope and I redeem it all?

You can thrive,  find strength, experience joy and dwell in peace in a life that you did not plan when you put your hope in the Lord.  ISAIAH 40:31

Your teens are watching you.

MONDAY’S PRAYER
May the God of hope fill you and ______________ with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  ROMANS 15:13

Friday’s Prayer

Remind ____________that You know the plans You have for him/her – plans to prosper and not to harm him/her, plans that give hope and a future.  Cause him/her to turn to you for wisdom and guidance in all things, and listen to his/her prayers.
JEREMIAH 29:11-12

Thursday’s Prayer

As ___________ becomes more independent, teach him/her to trust You with all his/her heart.  Do not let him/her depend on his/her own understanding, but cause __________ to seek Your will in all that s/he does, and direct his/her path.
PROVERBS  3:5-6